The Sunscreen Innovation Act Could Make Your SPF More Powerful

1999 was a big year. The euro made its debut, George W. Bush announced he would run for president, and Susan Lucci finally won an Emmy (RIP All My Children). It was also the last time the FDA approved a new sunscreen ingredient—and not for lack of new technology. There are currently eight sunscreen ingredient applications pending, some dating back 12 years. (Many of the ingredients, like Tinosorb, are already in wide use outside of the United States.) The Sunscreen Innovation Act, now before both the House and the Senate, aims to speed things up.

This morning, Senator Johnny Isakson of Georgia and Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney of New York, cosponsors of the act, spoke about the new legislation at a policy breakfast. “If you’ve had a melanoma or lost a loved one to melanoma...the fact that something sat for 12 years before the FDA, lacking approval when it could have saved lives, that’s inexcusable,” said Isakson, who is himself a melanoma survivor. “The FDA needs to do its job within a reasonable time period." One of the bill's provisions is that if the FDA doesn’t act in a timely manner, an advisory committee could approve a sunscreen ingredient provisionally. The FDA would then have 45 days to disagree with the committee—if it doesn’t, the ingredient can come to market. At this morning’s event, Michael Werner, an advisor for the Public Access to Sunscreens Coalition (PASS), said he is hopeful that the bill will be enacted by August. With any luck, a new crop of highly effective sunscreens won't be far behind.